Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2019; 7(1): 89-92

ISSN (E): 2320-3862

ISSN (P): 2394-0530 Diversity of wild edible plants in the Mandal-
NAAS Rating: 3.53
JMPS 2019; 7(1): 89-92
© 2019 JMPS
Chopta forest, Uttarakhand
Received: 14-11-2018
Accepted: 18-12-2018
Reenu Agarwal and Veena Chandra
Reenu Agarwal
Assistant Professor, Department Abstract
of Botany, The IIS University, Wild edible plants (WEP) provide staple and supplement foods, as well as cash income to local
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
communities, thus favouring food security. However, WEP are largely ignored in land use planning and
Veena Chandra
implementation, economic development, and biodiversity conservation. Moreover, WEP-related
Scientist ‘F’ and Head (Retd.) traditional knowledge is rapidly eroding.
Botany Division, Forest The information was collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The
Research Institute, Dehradun, methods employed in the study were designed with the purpose of providing baseline information on the
Uttarakhand, India use of plant species in local system through village surveys and field visits to various areas in the villages
of Chamoli district falling under the boundaries of Mandal-Chopta Forest in Garhwal Himalayas,
Uttarakhand.
The diversity of wild edible plants being use by the local inhabitants is 64 species belonging to 47 genera
and 36 families. Most of the species were used as fruits (30 species) followed by as leafy vegetables (20).
Almost half of the species (51%) were also used for purposes other than food. From the species with
market value (28% of the total). Further studies revealed that WEP are threatened mostly by habitat
destruction, land-use change and over-harvesting. Some of these plants are crop wild relatives and could
thus be used for crop improvement.

Keywords: Wild edible, traditional knowledge, economic potential, ethno botanical

1. Introduction
Wild edible plants (WEP) are an important source of food for mankind before the dawn of
civilization and the domestication of the present day fruits. These wild fruits have played a
very vital role in supplementing the diet of the people.
Local inhabitants in the rural areas mostly depend upon wild plants during their lean seasons,
which are often collected from nearby forest as their collection does not require any skills and
capital investment (Alcorn, 1990; FAO, 1995; Arnold and Ruiz Perez, 1995; Ros-Tonen,
2000) [1, 6, 2, 13].
The Garhwal Himalayas region is the land of many beautiful holy places, valleys and hills, as
Himalayas are very rich in natural resources. The forest resources play an important role in the
livelihood of the local communities. The rich diversity of the area is utilized by the local
inhabitants in various forms as medicine, food, fodder, fuel, timber, agricultural implements,
etc. Among these, wild edible plants play an important role in food supplement during scarcity
for local inhabitants. Because of small land holdings and subsistence agriculture, the local
people collect many wild plants for food.
People living in the rural areas of the Himalayas utilize a variety of biological resources for
livelihoods. Animal husbandry and marginal agriculture are the major source of their economy
(C.P. Kala, 2005, 2007) [8, 9].
Pande et al. (2001) [11] and Naithani et al. (2009) [10] have conducted systematic studies on the
vascular plants of Mandal forest. An extensive floristic survey has been conducted by (Rai,
Adhikari and Rawat, 2011) in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, during the survey a total of 433
plant species belonging to 234 genera under 71 families were recorded along the sub-alpine
and alpine region (2800-3680m amsl) of which there are 349 herbs, 42 shrubs, 18 grasses, 13
trees, 5 sedges and 6 climbers respectively. Bhat et al. (2013) [3] conducted the study on
Correspondence ecological status and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in Kedarnath Wildlife
Reenu Agarwal
Assistant Professor, Department
Sanctuary of Garhwal Himalaya.
of Botany, The IIS University, About 182 villages are situated around KWS, of which about 50 are located very close to the
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India best wildlife areas.
~ 89 ~
Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies

The main sources of income in the Mandal valley (1500 to accounting for 45%, followed by leaves with 27%, flowers
1800m) are milk, honey and fruits. From lower valley bottom and seed with 7% respectively (fig. 1).
to sub-alpine and alpine zones of Kedarnath WLS, livestock
production and tourism are the main land use practices.

Materials and Methods

1. Study Area
Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS; 300 25’-300 45’ N
latitude, 780 55’-790 22’ E longitude) is the one of the
floristically rich and largest Protected Areas (PAs) in
Uttarakhand covering an area of 975 km2. It lies in the
Northern catchments of Alaknanda, a major tributary of the
river Ganges.
An intensive study area of around 100 km2 was selected along
the Southern fringe of Kedarnath WLS. Nearly 70% of the
intensive study area lies in Mandal valley with in Alaknanda
catchment. Upper part of the study area is marked by famous
Hindu shrine Tungnath (3550m). The local inhabitants are
settled in scattered villages along lower fringes (< 2200m) Fig 1: Plant part used as wild edible
who are basically agro-pastoralists. The study area includes
substantial areas of Makku Reserve Forest with the altitude Among fruits distribution Berries contribute the most about
ranging between 1,500-3,680 m. The area was selected as it 36% followed by Drupes with 31% in the study area (fig. 2)
has a wide altitudinal range, different habitat and vegetation
types mainly dominated by the oaks, varied aspect and slope
categories. Six villages viz., Siroli, Mandal, Khalla,
Koteshwar, Bandwara, Bairagana in Mandal valley and five
villages viz., Makku, Hudu, Daira, Kanda and Jagpura were
selected for the intensive study.

2. Methodology
The Present Survey was conducted in 11 villages of the study
area covering the Chamoli and Rudraprayag district based on
personal interviews among local people. The informers
included responsible old persons; attempts were made to
include females in interviews and middle aged people who
were fully aware about their forest wealth. During the survey,
information was gathered on the basis of prepared
questionnaire viz., local name, parts used, methods of uses
medicinal uses, etc (Fig. 1). Standard methods were followed Fig 2: Distribution of fruits used wild edible
for the collection of plant materials, mounting, preparation
and preservation of plant species. Discussion and Conclusion
All of the WEPs species listed in table.1 are collected from
Results their natural habitats in the forest areas near villages for their
The study came to document nearly 64 species of plants used bonafide use. At present there are no conservation or
as wild edibles (Table 1). Analysis of taxonomic group of protection measures applied in these areas by government,
plants revealed that a total of 64 wild edible species belonging NGOs, nor local communities.
to 47 genera and 36 families are documented. Only one plant Informants revealed that there has been tremendous pressure
belongs to Pteridophyta and all others to Magnoliaphyta. from anthropogenic activities (unsustainable harvesting,
Analysis of habits of plants documented shows that shrubs expansion of agriculture land and forest fires). Since
share the largest proportion with 24 species (37%), followed collection of WEPs is a free access without paying any
by herbs with 20 species (31%). royalty to the state government it partly encourages over
Most importantly, fruits are found to frequently used part exploitation of some species.

Table 1: Wild edible plants of study area

S. Altitudinal Life
Botanical Name Family Local Name Plant parts and methods of use
No. range (m) form
1 Aesculus indica (Wall. Ex Cam b.) Hook. f. Hippocastanaceae Pangar 1500 - 2800 Tree Seeds are edible
2 Angelica glauca Edgew Apiaceae Choru 3300 - 4000 Herb Root is used as spice and condiment.
3 Asparagus curillus Buch. –Ham. ex Roxb. Asparagaceae Sharanoi 1800 - 3000 Shrub Tender soot are edible
4 Bauhania vahlii Wt. & Arn Caesalpiniaceae Malu up to 1500 Climber Roasted seeds are edible
5 Berberis aristata DC Berberidaceae kingor 1800 - 3200 Shrub Fruits are edible
6 Berberis asiatica Royle Berberidaceae kingor 600 - 2000 Shrub Fruits are edible
7 Berberis lycium Royle Berberidaceae kingor 1500 - 2200 Shrub Fruits are edible and made into sauce
8 Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb Saxifragaceae Pattarchoor 1200 - 2600 Herb Roots are edible
9 Cannabis sativa L. Cannabaceae Bhang 1000 - 2200 Herb Seeds and leaves are edible
10 Capsella bursa- pastoris (L) Medik Brassicaceae Medik Up to 3000 Herb Young plant used as vegetable

~ 90 ~
Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies
11 Celtis australis L. Ulmaceae Kharik, Khadik Up to 2400 Tree Ripe fruits are edible
12 Centella asiatica (L.) Urban Apiaceae Brahmi Up to 2000 Herb Whole plant
Young shoot and leaves are used as
13 Cerastium glomeratum Schutt Caryophyllaceae Chandai 1500 - 2400 Herb
vegetable
14 Chenopodium album L. Chenopodiaceae Bathu-sag Up to 3800 Herb Leaves are used as vegetable
Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) Nees &
15 Lauraceae Tejpatta 1500 - 2000 Tree Leaves are used as spices
Eberm.
16 Cotoneaster microphylla Wall. ex Lindl. Rosaceae - 1500 - 3500 Shrub Ripe fruits are edible
17 Crataegus Crenulata (D.Don) Roxb. Rosaceae Ghingaru 600 - 2800 Shrub Ripe fruits are edible
18 Datura stramonium L. Solanaceae Dhatura Up to 2000 Herb Fruit are used to make drinks
19 Debregeasia salicifolia (D. Don) Rendle Syanru, Tusari 600 - 2000 Shrub Ripe fruits are edible
Turad, Taid,
20 Dioscorea belophylla Voigt Dioscoreaceae 600 - 1500 Herb Tubers are cooked as vegetable
Tor
21 Dioscorea bulbifera L. Dioscoriaceae Gethi Upto 1500 Herb Bulbils are cooked as vegetable
Curled leaves or fronds are cooked as
22 Diplazium esculentum (Retz.)Sw. Athyriaceae Lingura 1200 - 2000 Fern
vegetable
23 Duchesnea indica (Anders.) Fock. Rosaceae Bhiun-Kaphal 1000 - 2000 Herb Ripe fruit are edible
24 Fagopyrum dibotrys (D.Don) Hara Polygonaceae kanalya 1500 - 3000 Herb Leaves are cooked as vegetable
Fruit are eaten raw and cooked as
25 Ficus auriculata Roxb. Moraceae Timla 600 - 1800 Tree
vegetable
26 Ficus palmata Forsk. Moraceae Pheru Up to 1800 Tree Ripe fruits are edible
27 Grewia oppositifolia Roxb. Tiliaceae Bhimal 300 - 1500 Tree Ripe fruits are edible
28 Indigofera heterantha Wall.ex Brandis Papilionaceae Kathi 1000 - 2200 Shrub Young flowers are edible
29 Juglans regia L. Juglandaceae Akhor 1600 - 2700 Tree Seeds are edible
30 Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don Myricaceae Kaphal 1200 - 2400 Tree Fruits are edible
Salmudi, Leaves are taken as salad and cooked as
31 Oxalis corniculata L. Oxalidaceae 800 - 2000 Herb
Khatti-mithi vegetable
Leaves are cooked as vegetable and
32 Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton Urticaceae Bhangjeera 300 - 1600 Herb
seeds are used as spices and condiments.
33 Pilea scripta Buch. -Ham. ex D. Don Pinaceae Chaulu 1500 - 2500 Herb Aerial parts are cooked as vegetable
34 Pinus roxburghii Sargent Rosaceae Chir 1000 - 2400 Tree Seeds are edible
35 Prinsepia utilis Royle Rosaceae Bhekkoi 800 - 2300 Shrub Root and seed oil are used
36 Prunus ceresoides D. Don Rosaceae Phaja 600 - 2300 Tree Ripe fruits are edible
37 Prunus cornuta (Wall. ex Royle) Steud. Rosaceae Mehal 2000 - 3300 Tree Ripe fruits are edible
38 Pyrus pashia Ham. Rosaceae Mole 1000 - 2400 Tree Ripe fruits are edible
39 Rhododendron anthopogon D.Don Ericaceae Burans 3000 - 4500 Shrub Leaves are used to make drinks
40 Rhododendron arboreum Smith Ericaceae Burans 1200 - 3300 Tree Flowers are used to prepare juice
41 Rhododendron barbatum Wall. ex D.Don Ericaceae Burans 2000 - 3300 Tree Flowers are used to prepare juice
42 Rhododendron lepidotum Wallich ex D. Don Ericaceae Burans 2600 - 4200 Shrub Flowers are edible
43 Rhus parviflora Roxb. Anacardiaceae Ninawa 1000 - 2000 Tree Ripe fruits are edible
44 Ribes glaciale Wall Grossulariaceae - 2400 - 3600 Shrub Ripe fruits are edible
45 Rosa brunonii Lindl Rosaceae Kunja 2400 - 3000 Shrub Ripe fruits are edible
46 Rosa macrophylla Lindl. Rosaceae Dan-Kunja 2000 - 3600 Shrub Ripe fruits are edible
47 Rosa sericea Lindl. Rosaceae Dhar-Kunja 2000 - 3500 Shrub Ripe fruit are edible
48 Rubus ellipticus Sm. Rosaceae Hinsalu, Anchhoi 500 - 2600 Shrub Ripe fruit are edible
49 Rubus niveus Thunb. Rosaceae kali heesar 1800 - 3600 Shrub Ripe fruits are edible
50 Rubus paniculatus Sm. Rosaceae Kathalu 1200 - 2200 Shrub Ripe fruits are edible
Leaves are eaten raw as salad and also
51 Rumex hastatus D.Don Polygonaceae Almoda/halmoda 800 - 2600 Herb
used as condiments
52 Rumex nepalensis Spreng Polygonaceae Kilmoru 1500 - 4200 Herb Leaves are cooked as vegetable
Khalarkoi, Young shoots and leaves are cooked as
53 Solanum nigrum L. Solanaceae Up to 2000 Herb
Bhomolan vegetable and ripened fruits are edible
Leaves or young shoot are cooked as
54 Stelleria media L. Caryophyllaceae Charchara, Siadi Upto 3500 Herb
vegetable
55 Taraxacum officinale Weber Asteraceae Dudhla 1800 - 4000 Herb Leaves are cooked as vegetable
56 Taxus wallichiana Zucc. Taxaceae Thuner 2000 - 3600 Tree Bark and seeds are edible
57 Thymus linearis Benth. Lamiaceae Janglijwan 2000 - 3600 Shrub Seed are used as spices
Young branches and leaves cooked as
58 Urtica ardens Link. Urticaceae Kushka 500 - 2500 Shrub
vegetable
Young branches and leaves cooked as
59 Urtica dioca L. Urticaceae Kandali 2500 - 3500 Shrub
vegetable
60 Viburnum cotinifolium D.Don Caprifoliaceae Bansura, 2000 - 3600 Shrub Ripe fruits are edible
61 Viola betonicifolia var. nepalensis (Ging) Back. Violaceae Banafsa 1000 - 2800 Herb Flower leaves are used as vegetable
62 Vitis parviflora Roxb Vitaceae - Up to 2000 Climber Ripe fruits are edible
63 Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz Lythraceae Dhaula 1000 - 2000 Shrub Ripe fruits are edible
Tender shoots are cooked as vegetable
64 Zanthoxylum armatum DC. Rutaceae Timur 900 - 2200 Shrub
and ripe fruits are edible

Wild edible species may prove a good root stock for the crops as well as restoration and reclamation of degraded land
commercial cultivars of the fruit crops due to their wider and revised cropping systems.
adaptability to abrupt climatic variations, vigour, growth and To maintain the ecosystem equilibrium, awareness of the
resistance to insects and pests. Hence, these may be utilised as sustainable utilization of these species needs to be created
good breeding material for the improvement of horticultural among the hill communities.
~ 91 ~
Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies

References
1. Alcorn JB. Indigenous Agroforestry Strategies Meeting
Farmer’s Needs, 1990.
2. Arnold JEM. Socio-economic benefits and issues in Non-
Wood Forest Products use. In Report of the expert
consultation on no-wood forest products, Yogayakarta,
Indonesnia, 17-27. Non-Wood Forest Products 3. FAO,
Rome, 1995.
3. Bhat Jahangeer A, Kumar M, Bussmann RW. Ecological
status and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in
Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary of Garhwal Himalayas,
India. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2013;
9:1.
4. Chandra V. Edible Plants of Forestry Origin, ICFRE,
Dehradun, 1997.
5. Farooquee NA, Saxena KG. Conservation and utilization
of medicinal plants in high hills of the central Himalayas,
Environ Conserv. 1996; 23:75-80.
6. FAO. Report of the International Expert Consultation on
Non-Wood forest products. Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 1995.
7. Farooquee NA, Saxena KG. Conservation and utilization
of medicinal plants in high hills of the central Himalayas,
Environ Conserv. 1996; 23:75-80.
8. Kala CP. Ethnomedicinal botany of the Apatani in the
Eastern Himalayan region of India, Journal. Ethnobiol
Ethnomed. 2005; 11(1):1746-4269.
9. Kala CP. Prioritization of cultivated and wild edibles by
local people in the Uttaranchal hills of Indian Himalayas.
Indian Journal of Traditional knowledge. 2007; 6:239-
243.
10. Naithani HB, Singh G, Rawat GS. Observations on the
Flora of Mandal Forest, Garhwal Himalayas. Indian
Forester. 2009; 135:162-179.
11. Pande PK, Negi JDS, Sharma SC. Plants Species
Diversity and Vegetation Analysis in Moist Temperate
Himalayan Forest. Indian Journal of Forestry. 2001;
24(4):456-470.
12. Rai I, Adhikari B, Rawat SG. Floral diversity along sub-
alpine ecosystems in Tungnath area of Kedarnath wild
life sanctuary, Uttarakhand. Indian Forester, 2012;
138(10):927-940.
13. Ros-Tonen MAF. The role of non-timber forest products
in sustainable tropical forest management. Holzals Roh –
und Werkstoff 58(196-201). Springer-Verlag, 2000.
14. Samant SS, Dhar U. Diversity, endemism and economic
potential of wild edible plants of Indian Himalaya.
International Journal of Sustainable Development and
World Ecology. 1997; 4:179-191.

~ 92 ~